Palm Beach county, FL versus San Francisco

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
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If you had to pick between these 2 places to live, which would you pick, and why?
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
Florida, too humid. San Francisco, too crowded and expensive. If I had to pick one... SF definitely.
 

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
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Florida. SF cost way to much and crowded.

I grew up near the beach so humid is not a problem. High cost of living and packed in like sardines is.
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,257
713
126
Palm Beach - love the sunny weather and excellent beaches.

Would be hard to forego the culture and vibe of SF, great food, concerts, temperate weather, excellent jobs, and amazing access to the mountains, wine country, and national parks.

But PB wins out.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
126
Palm Beach is nice but if money was no object I'd choose San Francisco. Florida is too hot and muggy during the summer.
 

baydude

Senior member
Sep 13, 2011
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91
Depends on your age and whether you have a family or single. You'll have more fun in SF if you're single since there are a lot of techies here and many didn't grow up in the Bay Area so are really open to meet new people and make new friends. If you have a family, then PB.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Florida, too humid. San Francisco, too crowded and expensive. If I had to pick one... SF definitely.

Coastal Palm Beach is not humid at all and we don't deal with the mosquitos so common inland.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,133
30,084
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Probably Florida. I hate the state, and it's all old people in PB, right? But there is a never-ending source of entertainment (via Florida news) and despite assclowns like Rick Scott in charge right now, I have to side with the weather and CoL.
 

Brian Stirling

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2010
3,964
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Lived in PB county for a while and been to FL many times and there's no way I'd pick it over SF if money were no object. I don't know that I'd want to live in SF itself but Half Moon Bay would be near heaven -- if money were no object.


Brian
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
That would be a tough one, but I think I would go with SF if the pay was enough.
Short trips to Napa, Sonoma, Muir Woods, Monterey / Big Sur and Yosemitie would do it for me.
 

Dirigible

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2006
5,960
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As a mountain biker who hates hot weather, I'd go with SF.

I don't actually like SF very much though. So I live in a suburb and almost never go into the city.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
If working and same pay? Florida. No income tax is a huge win.

If money is no object, SF.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,004
63
91
Have been to florida a few times, never CA or even san francisco though.

Being that money IS an object.. I'd have to pick PB.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,206
12,522
136
There's no way I could opt for Fladah...too hot and humid, too many rednecks, too much stupidity on the state level.

HOWEVER, I'd hate...H-A-T-E to live in San Fransissy. WAY too liberal for my tastes, housing is way too expensive, and it's WAY too crowded...and the stupidity on the state level in California is way out there too. If I could live in one of the outlying areas...then SF. Otherwise, I'd pass on both.
 

AViking

Platinum Member
Sep 12, 2013
2,264
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You're picking a county and comparing it to the city? Might be better to compare to the Bay Area.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
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There's no way I could opt for Fladah...too hot and humid, too many rednecks, too much stupidity on the state level.

HOWEVER, I'd hate...H-A-T-E to live in San Fransissy. WAY too liberal for my tastes, housing is way too expensive, and it's WAY too crowded...and the stupidity on the state level in California is way out there too. If I could live in one of the outlying areas...then SF. Otherwise, I'd pass on both.

I believe that FL state stupidity is easily out ranked by CA state stupidity.
Humidity as long as you are within 5-10 miles of the beach does not really exist; the ocean breeze keeps it away.
Same with dive bombers.
Rednecks are inland, unless you mean tourists getting sunburned. :p
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,206
12,522
136
I believe that FL state stupidity is easily out ranked by CA state stupidity.
Humidity as long as you are within 5-10 miles of the beach does not really exist; the ocean breeze keeps it away.
Same with dive bombers.
Rednecks are inland, unless you mean tourists getting sunburned. :p

Maybe you're just too close to the problem...kind of a "Can't see the forest for the trees" kind of issue...:p
 

drbrock

Golden Member
Feb 8, 2008
1,333
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81
Depends on how you want to live your life. If you are a homebody then Palm Beach is for you. If you like to get out socially once a week or go to random events San Fran is the place to be. I can not oversell the fact that Palm Beach County has nothing going on. I am the last of all my college friends who moved to south florida to actually stay here.

Economy is VERY poor. Housing is coming back strong but jobs have not returned. I am a CPA so I was somewhat immune to the recession. I live in arguably the nicest area in Palm Beach County (Jupiter) Not bragging, I am middle class. The other place to stay is Boca Raton but there are just too many old people for me. You can not pay enough money to live south of West Palm Beach.

Humidity is a factor anywhere you go in Palm Beach County. The beach does make it nicer but it is still crazy hot here during the summer. The area basically dies during the summer because a large percentage of the population only lives here during the winter.

People in South Florida are the absolute worst. Think of Jersey shore south lol. Or you are dealing with the extreme old. The education rate is VERY poor here so keep that in mind with forming social circles and raising children here.

Politically I am sure we are less liberal than San Fran however Palm Beach County is heavily liberal. You basically have to hit north of I-4 for you to really get any right wing culture.

If I were single, young(under 35) and a solid education it would be a no brainer to move to San Fran. Economy and Culture are far superior there. From your avatar it appears you are a doctor or in the medical profession. So money should not really be an issue for you. San Fran all day everyday.

If you are over 45 and have older children I might consider Northern Palm Beach County just because of your age range.

Keep in mind. Cost of living here is high when you factor income. I am planning on moving to DC this summer and my salary will nearly double but my cost of living will only go up around 10%. Insurance and housing are really high right now for various reasons.
While I am sure San Fran cost of living is higher than Palm Beach I think you may be surprised on how little of a difference it is. When you start getting into Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando that is true low cost of living.
 

OBLAMA2009

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2008
6,574
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ive never been to palm beach but isnt just a place where unemployed rich peepul fug around? if you have to get a job and work, id think sf would win on that alone. those florida beaches look nice though
 

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
I believe that FL state stupidity is easily out ranked by CA state stupidity.
Humidity as long as you are within 5-10 miles of the beach does not really exist; the ocean breeze keeps it away.
Same with dive bombers.
Rednecks are inland, unless you mean tourists getting sunburned. :p

dunno, I was there with my fiance (now wife) for an interview (I tagged along to make it a vacation.) It was January, 95, and humid as hell at Hollywood Beach. Maybe it's because I'm from arid California, but that was a miserable January week. Way too hot and humid for my tastes.

I'm a homer, I love California. Housing is expensive, but the jobs pay more so you can afford a small chunk of it. If you don't make enough, get a better job. I know it's not that easy, but rich people don't complain about the cost of purchasing in CA. They know it's part of the equation and budget for it.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
SF all the way. The beaches are the ONLY thing nice about south Florida. People, weather, culture, etc all suck.